June 6, 2011

Which face is not like the other?

Highlights from today: (click here for pictures)

• Everyone still must be a little tired this morning because we were moving around fairly slow.
• I had somehow forgotten about breakfast and Reagan had to remind me about breakfast this morning.  No one else had seemed to notice but we did all managed to eat half of a loaf of bread-everyone loves toast
• The kids spent the morning playing with a zillion stickers and then this led to signing autographs and passing them out.  I guess they got this idea from Mickey.  Though somehow Reagan only wrote “Emily Marie Dennie” on her autographs
• Next up was lunch and reading a few magazines.  After lunch, I had put everyone’s pizza leftovers in the trash.  Before long, Campbell walked to the trash can and grabbed out a piece of pizza.  I asked her if she was hungry and she nodded her head and continued on her way with her pizza in her mouth.  And I let her have it (please don’t nominate me for the bad mom award)
• After lunch, Robby came home for a few minutes and then we all loaded up to take Robby back to work.  We had left his car there before our Disney trip and today was the first time we thought about picking it up.  Though, we did get a playdate offer today and I almost said yes and loaded up the kids-wouldn’t that have been horrible if we all traipsed to the garage and saw that it was empty.  They would have been crushed!
• We came home for naps and most everyone had a nap.  Since we went to nap late when they woke up it was nearing 5 but everyone still demanded a snack.  I didn’t find anything out of the trash (Campbell’s approach) and managed to find a some cereal.
• While they were watching a cartoon, the character went to the pyramids and Anderson asked if I had ever been to the pyramids.  I said no but Grannymom had seen them.  Reagan said “but I have been to the pyramid too and we even went in”  I was briefly stumped until I remembered Vegas.
• Soon Robby was home and it was time for hot dogs.  Anderson said that it reminded him of the other place with hot dogs-though it wasn’t as good as the Varsity.  We played a few games tonight and then it was time for bed. 

June 5, 2011

Nothing beats your own toys!

Highlights from today: (click here for pictures)

• We successfully recreated a hotel room in our room last night and we all slept until 9ish.  Reagan and Robby even slept until 10.  Graham was the first one to stir (well, I guess I was a bit awake too).  I saw him walking to our bedroom door-he had to go potty.
• All of the boys went to go and buy milk-a necessity around here.  While I did laundry and Reagan read through an American Girl magazine.  I need a trip to Chicago to buy her a doll (Dallas might just have to work though)
• Robby had already picked up pizza but Grannymom offered for us to come over and eat dessert so we took her up on it.  The kids were excited to see Grandpa and Lilly and Cash.  But Graham was the most excited to see Dana.
• Back at home, we had naps.  Reagan didn’t sleep but she colored princesses and then hung them all over her room.  Thankfully, Campbell has noticed them yet and taken them down.
• Before long it was time to get ready for church.  I couldn’t figure our why Robby was leaving the house so early until we were in the car and I remembered that church started at 6 during the summer
• After church we went upstairs for cookies and other foods.  The kids gobbled up everything they could get their hands on and enjoyed seeing Jason for a bit.  The kids didn’t understand why the lights were out when we came back downstairs headed to the car.  Robby stopped by the bathroom and everyone else went to look at the fish tank.;  Anderson shouted boo at Campbell and she jumped so high she fell down and then started laughing.  So funny.
• The boys are enjoying being back in their room together and I guess since it is just them they think they can live it up and they are-they are telling knock knock jokes.  And if you want some entertainment, just imagine a 4 year old and a 2 year old telling knock, knock jokes to each other.

Disney and Travels Home-June 4, 2011

Supper at the Varisty!

Highlights from today: (click here for pictures)
Plan A was for us to leave around 7 this morning but when Robby’s alarm clock went off he decided on Plan B which was to leave around 9.  We woke up around 8ish and were in the car near 9.  We made a stop at McDonalds and Robby asked if anyone wanted fries and Graham was determined that he wanted a hamburger so that is what everyone had. 
We made to to Atlanta a little after 1 despite quite a bit to construction work traffic.  We toured the Carter library and Reagan remembered that the other library we had been too (Reagans) had jelly beans in the oval office because jelly beans were his favorite.  When we were all standing in the model of the oval office, I was trying to have the kids remember what it was called.  Graham was the one who remembered that it was “oval.” 
Reagan was very interested in the dresses at the library along with everything about little Amy Carter.  Campbell enjoyed squealing/yelling in the large rooms that echoed so we eventually had to let her out of the stroller so she would be quiet.  She did fine walking around but we did have to chase her most of the time. 
Soon we were at our favorite Atlanta stop:the Varsity.  The kids devoured 3 hot dogs and Anderson liked my “circle french fries” –onion rings.  While we were eating some girls were there dressed up in very fancy clothes and Graham could not take his eyes off of the “princesses.” 
While Campbell was drinking from my coke, Reagan asked her “Can Reagan have some coke?” and Campbell nodded her head yes while still sucking down the coke from the straw as fast as she could.  Then Reagan said “Can Reagan have some coke NOW?” and Campbell shook her head and turned her little body away from Reagan while still sipping the drink.
Graham spend the rest of the afternoon in the car singing “Dana, Dana, Dana, Dana” over and over and over.  He also colored on his arms and legs with a pen and had a meltdown because Robby gave him Skittles instead of Reeses Pieces. He fussed about this until he finally fell asleep.
Someone in our car hardly ever slept-Anderson.  If there is a movie on he will not go to sleep, he doesn’t want to miss a thing.  He is so funny because he will just suddenly burst out laughing. 
A bit after leaving Atlanta, we looked at the clock and looked at how far it would be to get home and decided that it was worth skipping our hotel and pressing on just to get home.  This is the same hotel that Robby had made reservations for last year and we skipped it because of the snow and now this Disney trip we were also skipping this hotel.  Next year, if he makes a reservation there they probably won’t even have a room ready for us knowing that we won’t show up. 
When it became dark, Robby turned off the movie and told the kids to rest.  They were quiet but they were all listening to me read Robby the blogs of the last 3 Disney trips.  Every once in awhile they would pop their heads up and ask a questions about something I had read. 
As Anderson was about to fall asleep, he asked me “how does Daddy stay awake?”  They just can’t understand how he can stay awake so long-little did they understand they we would be pulling into our driveway a little after midnight.  We were quite surprised that we were able to make it from Hilton Head to Little Rock in one day with a few stops in Atlanta.  If we would have known we were trying to go all the way home, we would have skipped our Atlanta stops so it all worked out great.  It was a wonderful vacation and a great trip home-probably because our kids are such great travelers.  Oh, and if you are wondering my final state license plate count, it was 32.
When we made it home, the kids were pretty wired so we let them play while we unpacked the car.  It was hot in the house so Robby brought the fans to our room and just laid out everyone’s sleeping bags on the floor.  We also covered our window with a sheet in hopes of recreating a dark, cool, quite hotel room in which everyone would sleep in late (and it worked!)

Disney and Travels Home-June 3, 2011

BEACH DAY!

Highlights from today: (click here for pictures)
The first movement that happened in our room last night happened around 8:30 this morning.  Anderson had to go potty and probably had been trying to wake me up for awhile because he finally just pinched me-which scared me silly.  This woke Campbell up so she got in bed with me but then we all went back to sleep for a bit longer.  We really didn’t stir until after 9 and everyone played quietly with their new toys (everyone got toys at Disney-the boys got Test Track car sets, Reagan bought a Sleeping Beauty princess with clothes and Campbell managed to get a Minnie doll on the last day.  Their toys have been the best money we spent because they have just sat and played and played with them).  Even though we were all making quite a bit of racket, Anderson didn’t really stir until around 10, you could tell that he was the only one who didn’t have a nap yesterday despite staying up until 1 in the morning.
We put on our swimsuits and sunscreened up (all but me and now my back is a little bit toasty).  Then we headed downstairs to the beach and pool.  This place is pretty fancy so we walked along the trail to the beach which had bridges, a stream and a pond.  The beach wasn’t too hot this morning and it was pretty crowded.  We found us a spot and headed to the water.  The water was warm, fairly calm and shallow. 
Campbell was content just sitting in the water splashing and Anderson could have played in the sand all day long.  I finally had to tell him that Robby and I would help him make a big sandcastle in August.  Graham has no fear and would just dive into the water and would run as far as he could if you would let him.  Reagan loved everything-the sand, the water, the sun and the waves.  Her favorite was going out in the deeper (3 feet) water with Robby and waiting on the waves. 
The highlight was seeing jelly fish.  I at first though they were tar balls since that is what I always hear about on the news.  Anderson kept asking if they were toy jellyfish.  As you can imagine after seeing the jellyfish, we decided to go to the pool. 
Robby still thinks we are on the Disney dining plan and decided to get lunch by the pool.  It was incredibly nice.  There was a breeze, we were in the shade and a man was playing the guitar and singing right behind us.  After our hot dog and chicken finger lunch, we dove on in the pool.  We only probably swam there about 30 more minutes before deciding to get snow cones back by the beach.
We all had our snow cones and watched the turtles swim in the pond.  By the time we had finished, Graham was ready to take a nap-he was just sitting in the stroller in a zombie like state.  Back in the room the kids had baths and then everyone laid down for a bit.  We decided not to put Campbell in her bed since we would be leaving in about an hour and before long we looked over there and she was laying in the floor sound asleep.  Everyone but Anderson slept and since he woke up so late he probably wasn’t tired anyway. 
We then loaded up for supper and headed to Hudsons to eat supper.  I had a pear, pecan, feta and strawberry salad along with my crab cake supper.  Robby had blackened cobia and the kids had chicken fingers.  And for dessert we split a piece of peanut butter pie (which the kids didn’t eat because I told them it had fish in it). 
At the restaurant, they sat a basket of appetizers on the table.  Robby told the kids what they were and encouraged them to try it.  A few minutes later, Anderson said “I guess I’ll try a dog finger”-can you guess what our appetizer was?  Hush puppies. 
On the way home, we came back across the toll road and Graham shouted “not again.”  And I know reading that just does not do it justice but it sounded just like Robby would say.  He was completely exasperated that we were having to pay a dollar and a quarter to cross the bridge.
On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at the Hilton Head lighthouse.  The kids were not impressed with the lighthouse or our beautiful walk on the docks.  All they cared about was getting to the playground that they saw when we parked.  We did let them play while Robby rearranged some suitcases in the car.  The plan was for him to take Campbell in the stroller but she was not pleased knowing that they were playing.  He eventually had to bring her back to the playground to appease her. 
Back at the hotel, we played with out toys some more, had our milk, changed into pjs and went to bed.  During prayer time, Graham’s prayer went like this “Thank you God for the booo-tiful beach and the boooooo-tiful swimming pool.  Amen.”
Now they are all laying down going to sleep and I feel a little bit like I am playing that game Whack A Mole-where the little animals keep popping up and you try to bop them down as quick as you can.  They have all been taking turns popping up to say or ask something.  It would be quite comical to watch-as soon as one lays down, another one pops up to ask for something.

Disney and Travels Home-June 2, 2011

Last day of Disney Adventure! 

Highlights from today: (click here for pictures)
Our plan was to be at the park when it opened this morning at 8 but we overslept a bit which was fine.  Robby and I got ready and then the kids got up to get ready.  Soon we were loading up the car and saying bye to Nonna, Pops, Jason and Grannymom.  Graham couldn’t understand why they were staying at the hotel (they had an early afternoon flight) and Anderson just couldn’t get why we weren’t taking the rental van to the park (Pops was returning it). 
We made it to the transportation center, parked and went right to the monorail.  Unfortunately, they were having some monorail issues today and waited for 15 minutes before boarding our ride.  We did make it to the park right before 9 when everyone could get in so Main Street was oddly quite.  It was like we were in between rushes.  It was kind of nice and since we had no real agenda for the day, we strolled down. 
Our first stop was the carousel.  Everyone rode it and then we didn’t have to wait in line at all for Small World (still Campbell’s favorite).  Next we went to a bakery on Main Street and had breakfast.  We split the hugest cinnamon rolls ever which came with at least a cup of grapes.  We were all fairly full after this and since the kids had already had breakfast it held us over until we ate again…which was very soon.  We were on the dining plan and had to use up all of the meals and snacks.
We then walked to the Pirates ride for one last ride and the big kids and I climbed up the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse.  Meanwhile, Robby bought orange juice icees (his absolute favorite).  Reagan, Anderson and Robby rode Thunder Mountain one last time while Graham played in the water shooting from the totem poles.  They weren’t gone very long and before Graham’s hair even had time to dry, we were dancing to a parade on Main Street.  The kids were so stand-offish at first but soon they were all up in it.  Their favorite part was when streamers shot out and flew everywhere.  But my favorite part was seeing Graham grin from ear to ear and then seeing everyone else wave to the characters.
We then rode Buzz one last time and had lunch in Tomorrowland.  Next up was one final spin around Tomorrowland on the Transit Authority.  We then walked back down Main Street and checked in on the barber shop line for Campbell’s first haircut but it was too crazy so she will just have to wait.
We would have then been on our way to Hilton Head but earlier in the day, Robby had said “I have a crazy plan…”  It wasn’t that crazy and why waste half a day at Disney?  So we headed over to Epcot via the monorail.  The first stop there was riding the ball ride and then onto the picture spot to have our pictures made with Minnie and Goofy.  Robby really wanted a picture of Campbell since we didn’t get one the other day.  And she didn’t do as well but did okay.  I was a bit disappointed that Mickey wasn’t there but Minnie matched her shirt and everyone else was pleased. 
Next up was the favorite spot of all 4 Dennie kids-the coke spot.  We all had as much coke as we could drink.  Anderson even said “my tummy feels sick” after drinking his 4th or 5th cup of coke.  Next up was the Nemo ride then a walk through the aquarium followed by the Land ride.  We then had supper in that building at the Sunshine Seasons place.  See I told you were trying to use up our dining plan.  We weren’t going to waste a single one. 
After supper, we walked back to our buggies.  When leaving Magic Kingdom, Robby had bought popcorn for the big kids to split and Graham had finished his and put his cup up.  Reagan and Anderson had left theirs in their seat.  On the way back to the buggies, I wondered aloud if the birds had gotten to it.  And sure enough, when we made it to the stroller, there was a bird setting in the top.  I don’t think they had gotten in the popcorn but Reagan was certain that she had less than when we left. 
Things were going well and we would have been back to the car before our goal of 5 pm….if it weren’t for the sign that said that the monorails weren’t working.  And we had just been talking about how nice it was to never have to get on the bus.  Well, sure enough we had to walk to the farthest spot to catch the bus.  Thankfully, we were able to get on the first bus there.  The kids all do very well but Robby has to manage 2 folded double strollers while I manage 2 bags, holding Campbell and 3 other kids.  This just reaffirmed that when this Dennie bunch goes to Disney, they will have a car. 
Robby had one last snack credit and even stopped to buy a coke (that was all they had) before leaving the park,  Soon we were in the car preparing for a 5 hour drive.  We changed a diaper, passed on candy and juice boxes, started the movie and got my license plate game out.  Though we were so busy re-hashing our trip that we only saw one new state license plate. 
We had a bathroom stop where we bought icees and another one for Graham.  On the second stop, the signs said that bathrooms were for paying customers so Robby bought a bit of gas-28 cents worth (well, a bit more than that but not much more).  The kids had some prizes on the way there, one being a slinky.  This is when Graham said “you are the best momma in the whole world” to me and then he added “you too Daddy.”  Graham also spent his time working on doing Thumbs Up well with both hands and telling us that he was a big boy now.  Campbell spent most of her trip asleep, pooping, drinking milk or playing with the etch e sketch.  Reagan’s time was passed looking at her present from the trip and asking me when she could open it. 
Our one event on the way here, was when I was putting candy in a little spot on my door.  My hand accidently pushed the window button which caused my window to go down.  This surprised me and I jumped and squealed.  But all of my racket along with the rush of air and loud sound from the wind scared Campbell.   She jumped, lifted her leg like she was on a ride and then started clapping.  We laughed and laughed. 
Even though our trip was 5 hours, it didn’t seem to long.  We even decided to stop at Vinnie Van Go Go’s in Savannah for pizza.  Please don’t call SCAN on us because we had he kids out and about at 10.  We sat outside and the kids enjoyed the view of the street.  They also noticed the ghost tour that takes place in a hearse.  They want to come back to do the tour-they think riding in the back of a hearse would be cool.
While waiting for our food to come, we were playing I Spy and Reagan said "I spy something that is tired" and then she said "the kids!"  It was a long day.
After dinner (which was our second dinner if you are keeping up) we made it to Hilton Head Island.  The drive would have been much prettier in the daylight but instead it was much scarier at night time.  The hotel here is right near the beach and huge.  But they don’t have luggage carts but we made it anyway. 
While we unloaded and unpacked everything we could, the kids all played with their new toys.  The boys had toys from Test Track, Reagan had her Sleeping Beautfy doll and Campbell played with her new Minnie Mouse toy.  I wasn’t going to get her anything but I gave in. 
They played and played until we managed to get everything done.  By now it was nearing 1 and soon I looked up and Anderson had on his pajamas and Graham was naked and trying to get on his pajamas. They were some tired kiddos.

In a few days, I will post our Disney hints and favorites.  Someone remind me if I forget about it.  Since it is very close to 2 am I better not tonight.

Disney-June 1, 2011

WDW Peoplemover =
4 Happy Dennie kids

Highlights from today: (click here for pictures)
Today was our last day before everyone heads on their way so we were at the park pretty early this morning.  We parked and then rode the boat across the lake to the Magic Kingdom.  The boat is nice since you don’t have to push the strollers up the hill.  We were going through the bag security as they opened the park so we were off and running with the rest of them.  The boys had said that they wanted to ride the Astro Orbiter so that was what we did first today.  The line wasn’t long and since Robby was off getting fast passes, Nonna was the lucky one who rode with us. 
I had Anderson and Campbell in my car and Nonna rode with Graham and Reagan.  It is a pretty tame ride but towards the end it really takes off and you start spinning quickly.   This is about the time that Anderson shouted “I’m getting seasick” thankfully, he wasn’t getting seasick and was just a bit dramatic about the whole thing. 
Then we decided to cross the entire park and get Orange slushes and Dole whip before riding Aladdin's magic carpet again.  After Campbell had her first sip of slush she was not going to return the cup to me for anything.  I eventually had to go and get another cup from the counter so I could split our drink.  The kids rode the magic carpet while I secretly enjoyed my Dole whip.
Next up was a short walk to Peter Pan’s ride and the kids loved it.  Then we went right across the way to Small World again.  This time, Campbell could hardly stay in the boat she was so excited.  She clapped, hollered, danced and sang.  It was by far her favorite ride.  When we finished the ride, we looked outside and it was pouring.  Grandpa had told Grannymom earlier in the day that the weather map looked like rain was coming this way but no one heeded his warning to bring any rain gear except for Pops.
It was barely raining when we started walking towards the Haunted Mansion but it was pouring when he came out.  Pouring and I don’t know where all of these people got their ponchos so quickly.  But even if we would have had ours, I don’t know if I would have taken them out of the bag-who can get them back in the bag?  During the first part of Haunted Mansion, Graham was terrified-climbing all over and clawing me.  But during the ride part, he had a great time.  He just sat and stared.  I did keep him busy looking for and at things but he even asked to go back on it later in the day.
We then headed to lunch at Pecos Bill.  Probably because of the rain, but everyone in the park was there.  And I do mean everyone.  Nonna, the kids and I searched for a table and even though there must be 500 tables we hunted and looked and hunted some more.  It was a mad house-wheelchairs, scooters, people with full trays of food and drinks, strollers and us holding a flailing Campbell who wanted to get down and walk and having the 3 other kids follow us.  But eventually, Anderson saved the day (and lunch) and found the perfect table.  Nonna did have to help the family finish up their food before they left-she even cleared off the table for them.
It was a great spot in the last room in a corner so even though the places was crazy, our lunch still seemed peaceful.  We had never eaten there and our lunch was very good-BBQ sandwiches and taco salad. 
The rain had slacked off some and we all split up.  Robby, Grannymom, Anderson and Reagan went off to ride Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain.  They had fast passes and walked right on and they said that they loved it.  It was their first time to ride it so they were very pleased.  Jason went to the Hall of Presidents.  Nonna, Pops and Campbell went shopping on Main Street and I tried to distract Graham so he didn’t realize that Reagan and Anderson were riding big rides that he didn’t get to ride. 
Graham and I climbed the Swiss Family Robinson tree house and he really took it all in.  We saw their kitchen briefly as we walked past the first time but he even asked to go back by the kitchen and see it again.  Then we decided to hop on the train and it took me forever to find the train-I had forgotten where it stops but along the way we found Jason so he rode the train with us to Main Street.
At Main Street, most everyone went on the train loop again and scoped out the new Fantasyland coming in 2012.  I did a little ornament shopping and Nonna and Pops did a bit of shopping themselves.  By the time Robby and everyone finished with the train, the bottom had fallen out of the sky again and we all raced to board the Monorail back to the transportation center.  Oh, now I did forget that Anderson pointed to a fairly large man today and said “that is the fattest man I have ever seen.”  Even though that statement was true, we did discuss just whispering things like that to me.
Back at the transportation center, Robby headed off to the van.  We had decided to just go on to Epcot today and skip our daily nap/swim.  He drove to Epcot while we got on the next Monorail and rode it there.  If it would have still been raining, we wouldn’t have had a fairly dry walk into Epcot but by then it was starting to be sunny.
We stopped at the picture spot to take a picture with Mickey and Minnie and Campbell did great.  She had her paci in her mouth but there was no screaming.  I thought she did fine because it all happened so fast but she did okay later in the day too with a bunny.  Pops and Robby even had a chance to ride a segway and the kids played in the fire safety house.
At the Test Track area, we bought the boys their presents from the trip.  They were so happy about it and really enjoyed getting to drive the remote control car that someone was showing off.  We didn’t let them open the presents tonight but they had stared at their boxes, thrown them and even snuck their tiny hands through the holes to feel their new toy. 
Next up, we caught the boat towards the World Showcases.  We saw the trains at the outpost and the kids could have looked at the trains forever.  Finally, we headed on and our next stop was a bite to eat in France.  Everyone needs a French pastry when you are in France.  Then we stopped and took a picture with some cat-must have been French. 
The kids and especially Campbell enjoyed running around the maze in Great Britain.  They thought it was so fun and Campbell just liked being out of her stroller.  Graham and Reagan went in to see Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.  Next stop of the day was the Canadian waterfall.  On the way there, Anderson and Graham stopped at a phone booth.  As they were playing with the pay phone, Anderson explained to Graham “this is what they had a long time ago.”
Soon we were at Coral Reef and managed to have our dinner over an hour earlier than our reservations.  We were pretty far back in the restaurant so we couldn’t see the aquarium very well but we still managed to see sharks, sting rays and even divers (the kids favorite).  After dinner, we rode the ball ride and this is the ride that Anderson has been wanting to do since we arrived.  I hope it satisfied him but I think that it did.
We didn’t have too much left so we headed back to the hotel.  At the hotel, the kids all had baths while Robby and I unloaded the van and reloaded our van.  After Graham’s bath, he thought that Pops put his underwear on the wrong way (he didn’t) and Graham came in there to me with tears in his eyes complaining about his underwear. I had to take off all of his clothes and start again.  Pitiful-needless to say, Graham didn’t want to spent the night in Pops’ room tonight.  But it was so late and since no one had had a nap, they pretty much fell asleep immediately.  Like I am going to do!  One more half day at the park and then we are off to South Carolina.

Disney 2011-May 31, 2011

Campbell:  "Who said this was the
happiest place on earth?"

Highlights from today: (click here for pictures)
It was another restful night and Campbell was the only one who ended up in a different bed.  She ended up in Grannymom’s bed and when Grannymom got up to get ready, Campbell made so much noise that we thought she was up and put her in bed with us but she was still sound asleep.  Everyone was a bit groggy this morning since we had another early breakfast.  But we still made it to the gates at Animal Kingdom before they opened the parking lot.  We ended up not parking in the AAA parking and parking in the regular parking lot.  This only meant that we rode the tram which the kids thought was another ride so that was fine.
At the park, we walked on through the gates to the Tusker House for breakfast.  First we lined up and had our picture made with Donald and after we were seated Daisy, Mickey and Goofy all came to the tables to see us.  Graham had really been wanting to see Goofy even though we had already seen him once.  He was so pleased and when Goofy stuck out his hands to give him a high 5, Graham looked down at his hands to make sure that they were clean before he gave Goofy five.  Isn’t that the sweetest thing.
So last night I said that Akershaus was the best meal and it was the best by far but the Tusker House breakfast was delicious.  The food choices were unbelievable and it was very, very good.  The kids loved the dounuts, fruit and even the cereal.  It’s the simple things that please them.  As soon as Robby was finished he hopped outside to get us fast passes for the safari ride.
We then headed on our way to the Dinosaur area and rode the Triceratops spin a couple of times.  Next we rushed over to see the best show at Disney (in my opinion) The Lion King.  The kids were all into it.  At one time, Anderson leaned over and asked Jason “they aren’t going to hurt us are they?”  Graham bounced from person to person and only covered his eyes and ears briefly.  Campbell was pretty interested but eventually was pleased sitting on the row below us with another family.  Reagan was very interested and even sat in Pops’ lap (he had to offer her a dollar the other day). 
After The Lion King show, we hopped in the buggies and walked to the Safari.  Even though we had a fast pass we did wait a bit in line but eventually boarded the jeep.  Campbell slept through most of it until she was bounced around so much that she woke up.  Everyone else was very interested in all of the animals and were pretty good at spotting them.  After the safari we walked along the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.  We saw hippos and the boys had been wanting to see hippos (Pops said he had already seen plenty of hippos on this trip though).  We had the perfect spot and saw the hippo swim by us in the water.  The kids were in awe and were pretty amazed by the “hippo fish” that they saw-maybe we need a few more lessons on hippos!
We were still stuffed from breakfast but couldn’t leave Animal Kingdom without stopping by Flame Tree BBQ so 10 of us spilt 2 sandwiches and all left satisfied.  We felt like we had done most of the park and wanted to have time to swim so we headed back to the van.  We weren’t exactly sure about how to walk to the car and since there wasn’t a tram line we ended up back on the tram. 
It didn’t take too long for the kids to fall asleep and we had to work pretty hard at waking them up to swim.  But before long, 4 little naked folks were running around the room trying to put on their bathing suits.  
The kids were all about sliding down the slide today and after we explained to them that laying back would make them go faster we had some speed demons on our hands.  Anderson would usually come down first and he would go underwater and then pop back up and this is very, very good for him.  Graham would fly down next and it would take all I had to grab him but he would go underwater for a bit before he would pop back up-he was going so fast he would stay down there for a second longer than Anderson.  This didn’t seem to bother the boys at all and they had a great time.  Reagan was interested in going fast but wanted to make sure someone would be there to catch her.  Anderson even got picky on who he wanted to catch him.  Once when I wasn’t there in quite enough time, he scowled at me “what did you think there was a long line?” 
After a while swimming time was over and it was time for showers.  We got them in and out fairly quickly and when everyone was ready, we went to the boat dock to catch the boat for Downtown Disney.  Robby took the van so we didn’t have to ride the boat back but the boat ride was very nice.  The driver even mentioned that the shuttle would be back around 2:30 this morning and said that we would definitely hear it (this Dennie probably won’t hear it). 
When we made it to Downtown Disney, Robby beat us and we just had to walk a mile to meet up with each other (felt like that anyways).  Finally, we made it to Wolfgang Pucks and waited on them to seat us.  It was fairly busy but we still got in before our reservations.  The food was delicious-Robby and I both had BBQ chicken pizza which was great.  The kids had fruit, Sprite, spaghetti, mashed potatoes and french fries-love the Disney Dining plan. 
We searched for a bathroom for awhile since theirs was messy when we left but did have a chance to walk through the build your own race car store which Anderson wants gift cards to for Christmas.
Then we hopped back in the car for a “short” drive to a closer parking space to the shops we were going to next.  Our shirt drive ended up to be a few minutes long-parking was at a premium tonight.  I had dreaded all day taking Reagan to find her souvenir from this trip-she can be rather slow at times.  But that girl was on a mission.  She saw what she wanted and had decided on it before we even finished looking through the girls section.  Anderson did find one thing and said “this is tricky” when confronted with the decision to buy that toy or wait till tomorrow and get the Test Track toy he had seen earlier in the week.  Graham was tired by now and decided that he just wanted to sit in the stroller and go outside with Grannymom and Campbell.  Oh, Reagan picked a Sleeping Beauty doll that had clothes you could take off and put back on.
Next up was a quick walk through the Once Upon a Store.  I had planned on getting more Mr. Potato Head pieces since they will all sit and play that for a very, very long time but it wasn’t enough new pieces to fill a box so I passed. 
Then we walked back towards the Lego store to walk through there.  Lots of people were in that store and it was pretty crazy but the kids ate it up.   They had a ramp up front and Anderson wanted to build a car and sent it down the ramp. I told him that we could make one at home so he spent the entire trip back to the hotel thinking/talking about his plans to make a ramp.  It was kind of pitiful, Reagan was beside him holding her new toy and all he can think about his painting a cardboard box to make a ramp.  Sad, sad.    His toy will come tomorrow but we will still try to make a ramp this summer, he is so excited about it. 
By the time we made it home, Graham was almost asleep and Campbell was sound asleep.  We got everyone ready for bed and then headed their ourselves.